Opponents of Mayor Bloomberg’s controversial proposed ban on large sugary drinks, which was struck down by a lower court in March, will argue to an appeals panel today that overturning the ruling would set a dangerous precedent.

“It would grant the mayor and his [health] board unchecked authority to make law on nearly every aspect of human activity, because almost everything we do can be said to have ‘public health’ implications,” a brief filed by the American Beverage Association asserts.

“If the board can legislate about anything that affects the ‘security of life and health in the city,’ then tomorrow, it could limit any product’s portion size: steaks to six ounces, pasta to one cup, hamburgers to a quarter-pound, pizza to one slice, licorice to one stick, and ice cream to one scoop,” attorney James Brandt argues in the papers.

A city attorney pooh-poohed the opponents’ predictions as “an alarmist cry.”

“The Board of Health took reasonable and completely appropriate steps to combat the city’s growing obesity epidemic,” the attorney added.